OK, so after reading the forum it sounds liek the CZ550 Americans need a whole lot of debugging. Next question is, how do the hogback stocks transmit recoil, or do they only just look funny? Kind of itching for a .416 Rigby.

I itched for one, got and am now scratching my head. I got the laminated barrel (would not by the wood stock).

I suspect they look funny, although I like the look. It appears to me that the big bore magnums need the barrels bedded and maybe even a couple of through bolts.

I really like the caliber and the set trigger. I am shooting Barnes TSX in 350 grain from Conley Precision Cartridge. Will reload my own from now on.

The gun really kicks, even after I had it ported, so putting a synthetic stock on it will only increase the felt recoil.

Bill,

I have CZ550 Mags in 375 and 416 Rigby with the "old" style stocks. In the Rigby I think the stock amplifies the felt recoil, as compared to my Ruger RSM in 416 Rigby. Others disagree and like the "hogsback" stock so I will put that off as to personal preference.

I haven't checked out the "American" rifles, so I don't know about the quality issues. My CZs are nice quality, fairly smooth, accurate, but could use a little smithing to be 100%. They are not the POSs that some are saying the new American rifles are.

I was thinking of getting a Safari Classic CZ 505 Gibbs, but the recent posts have put a binder on that. CZ did have a nice product at a good price, I hope they haven't fallen off the wagon and are now producing a sub standard firearm.

John

I've said it before here but I think the hogback stocks help control recoil for me. I have one in 375, 9.3 and 416. All of them work just fine. I had the 375 cross bolted but the 416 hasn't gotten to it yet. My old 'smith died and I don't trust anybody yet. I think the heavier hitters would benefit from glass bed at critical places but I'm not sure all of the older ones needed additional cross bolting. When I took the 375 to Henry Cheatham he told me it was fitted with a steel recoil plate behind the lug. He said that was the way he made all his custom rifles in heavy calibers instead of crossbolting. He was willing to take my money though if I wanted it. Later on somebody said now the factory only put a piece of plastic in there not steel any more.

I have three lux stocks did have 4 but changed one stock for a composite. I find for myself they handle recoil well and I like the slim lively feel they give my bigger bore guns.

Bill,

I have two CZ "Luxs" : 375HH and 458W, and I have two Ruger RSMs : 375HH and 458Lott.

Comparing the Ruger to the CZ is unfair in my opinion as the Rugers are way heavy and the extra weight alone curbs the recoil a bit.

I have a fairly solid background in marksmanship mostly involved in service and match rifle competition using the M14 as well as match rifle competiton using various bolt guns. In addition, I have a solid background and plenty of trigger time behind several variations of the M40. I've coached and observed 100s of individuals shooting from various positions.

With all that said, It is my opinion that the "Lux" stock has an excellent design and shape for a big bore hunting/dg rifle as long as you are not long and lanky w/ a tendency to stock crawl. It is fairly light and has a very trim, sleek, well balanced feel. From a field position it has a tendancy to split the recoil between pushing back and muzzle rising, a rolling feel like shooting a hogback stock on a hard kicking 45colt SAA revolver. This is a plus for me as it is easy to maintain my position for a quick follow up shot. The negative of this is that it will bite you hard if you are a stock crawler. This will be amplified when shooting off a bench. I also find this stock easy to transition to scope use though it is better for express sights.

Individuals who are long and lanky and/or have a tendency to stock crawl may prefer a stock design that transmits more of the recoil straight back, especially if they shoot off a bench often. This style of stock requires more work for me to maintain a solid field position if the rifle is on the lighter side in the bigger calibers.

This is just my opinion w/ no intent to dispute anyone w/ a different experience.

Gary

I took my CZ to my gunsmith today. He pulled the barrel and we both closely examined what looked like superfical damage to the laminate stock. I wasn't convinced and asked if he had a magnifying glass to look at this. There appears to be a hariline fracture running from the outside (on top) at one of the starting points of cracking all the way down to the rear bedding ledge.

We called CZ and told them of my desparate situation with me leaving for AK in August for brownies. They agreed to ship a new laminate stock to my gunsmith. I assume it will be a warranty item.

Upon closer examination I discovered the front pillar block hole to be oval, not round and had the metal sleeve fall completely out. It appears to me that this QC problem with the hole was allowing an additional transfer of energy to the back that it was not intended to take.

CZ told my gunsmith not to bed anything, that we should just drop it in and tighten it up as much as possible.

More after I get my gun back.

My only CZ at this point is in a hogback stock. It started as an American Safari. I heard good things about the Lux so I picked up a used stock off of the classifieds. Tried it and that night I put the American stock up for sale. Never regretted it.

The hogback is better fitted to my rifle. Much trimmer, it is less "proud" around the mag well/trigger guard area.

I'm keeping an eye out for a .458 win mag in a hog back.

I have 2 CZ550s with hogsback stocks. The CC550 Full Stock is in 6.5x55 and it doesn't hardly kick. The second, a 375 H&H Safari Magnum which in my opinion dosen't kick bad at all. It's more of a "push, lift, and roll", not a quick jab. I'm of the "medium-heavy, no-neck" build type, not tall and lanky and the hogsback fits me just fine. Besides that, they have a unique look that's asthetically pleasing to my eyes.

I am long and lanky (don't have a problem "crawling" the stock) and have two CZ 550 Safari's, one 416 Rigby, the other in 458 Lott. I LOVE the hogback stocks! The hogbacks fit me great, handle recoil well, and IMO are more trim and quick handling than its American cousin which while more pleasing to the eye feels thicker and bulkier.

About the only thing I have left to get in a Big Bore bolt gun is a 500A2 (probably load DOWN to 505 Gibbs or 500 Jeffrey levels). Not sure what stock I would go with for that --- probably go with the hogback and take it from there (steel bed, three exterior cross bolts, two interior cross bolts, inlet the tang, and then reinforce the magazine box --- same as my other two).

EKM

I'm long and lanky, and I like the hogsback stocks, too. But I have them on lighter calibers (9.3x62 FS lux and 6.5x55 FS).

I was surprised at the relatively light felt recoil from the 9.3x62 with 270gr bullets. Don't know if that's because of the slower recoil impulse, stock design, or something else. "Felt" lighter than my .300mags and only slightly stiffer than a lightweight .30-06 shooting 180gr bullets.

Steve